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Any cheap Beacons?

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jackson_sandell
Posts: 22 - Karma: 52
So my class for AIARE is on Tuesday, but we have two like "in-class" sessions before we formally go out for two straight days on Vail Pass for in the field training. I got a shovel, probe, and a backpack all ordered, I just really need a beacon. I've looked and realistically beacons are around maybe $175-300, anybody have an old beacon that is cheaper that they're willing to sell?
Mar 5 2017 11:26PM
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treebeard
Posts: 3685 - Karma: 2,230
dude, think about this for a second

if you ever get buried, your only hope of survival is a good, functioning beacon

if your friends ever get buried, their only hope of survival is you being able to use your good, functioning, modern (3-antenna) beacon QUICKLY

do you really want to cheap out on your most vital piece of equipment?


the Pieps DSP sport is largely considered the best beacon for the money, but look around and you should be able to find something good in the $250 range, like the ARVA Evo4 on backcountry.com
Mar 6 2017 2:24PM
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patagonialuke
Posts: 1627 - Karma: 8,686
Yeah I'd expect to spend $200+ on a beacon, unfortunately it's just not something you should/can skimp on.

Keep an eye on the TGR gear swap thread, there's often people selling lightly used ones for cheapish. I'd look into rental options too, my university has a very cheap gear rental program so that's what I did for a few months till I knew I was going to go out enough to warrant buying my own, and then waited for a deal.
Mar 6 2017 2:51PM
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jackson_sandell
Posts: 22 - Karma: 52
treebearddude, think about this for a second

if you ever get buried, your only hope of survival is a good, functioning beacon

if your friends ever get buried, their only hope of survival is you being able to use your good, functioning, modern (3-antenna) beacon QUICKLY

do you really want to cheap out on your most vital piece of equipment?


the Pieps DSP sport is largely considered the best beacon for the money, but look around and you should be able to find something good in the $250 range, like the ARVA Evo4 on backcountry.com


Yeah I get what you're saying, I'm looking for a used beacon, not like super expensive. I'm still in the $150-$200ish range.
Mar 6 2017 5:24PM
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cydwhit
Posts: 5074 - Karma: 43,034
patagonialukeYeah I'd expect to spend $200+ on a beacon, unfortunately it's just not something you should/can skimp on.

Keep an eye on the TGR gear swap thread, there's often people selling lightly used ones for cheapish. I'd look into rental options too, my university has a very cheap gear rental program so that's what I did for a few months till I knew I was going to go out enough to warrant buying my own, and then waited for a deal.


This.

Or just have your friends use the "Find my Iphone" feature. Saves weight AND money.

Buy a good beacon, used is fine if it's pretty new and in good condition, but it's a longterm investment, so it's not worth skimping.
Mar 6 2017 6:22PM
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treebeard
Posts: 3685 - Karma: 2,230
if you do end up buying used, make damn sure there's not even a hint of corrosion in the battery chamber. it's something that's easy to overlook but can really fuck with things
Mar 6 2017 6:34PM
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jackson_sandell
Posts: 22 - Karma: 52
treebeardif you do end up buying used, make damn sure there's not even a hint of corrosion in the battery chamber. it's something that's easy to overlook but can really fuck with things


I'm assuming it fucks with reliability of the battery and the actual usage of the beacon?
Mar 6 2017 6:52PM
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treebeard
Posts: 3685 - Karma: 2,230
jackson_sandellI'm assuming it fucks with reliability of the battery and the actual usage of the beacon?


yep, just like with any electronic, when the power supply gets wonky it can cause the rest of the device to behave erratically. this can range from inaccurate battery percentage reading (telling you it's at 90% then quickly dying), up to issues with transmitting or receiving a signal
Mar 6 2017 7:34PM
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jackson_sandell
Posts: 22 - Karma: 52
treebeardyep, just like with any electronic, when the power supply gets wonky it can cause the rest of the device to behave erratically. this can range from inaccurate battery percentage reading (telling you it's at 90% then quickly dying), up to issues with transmitting or receiving a signal


Sounds like my phone, even with a lifeproof fre power case, it still gets cold and dies even when it's like at 75%...
Mar 6 2017 9:44PM
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treebeard
Posts: 3685 - Karma: 2,230
jackson_sandellSounds like my phone, even with a lifeproof fre power case, it still gets cold and dies even when it's like at 75%...


they're different issues. though on that topic, don't use rechargeable (lithium ion) batteries. i'm sure they'll cover all this in your Avy 1, but lithium ion has a tendency to overestimate its remaining power, which is why you see that issue in your phone but it never used to be an issue with old walkmans and such using standard batteries
Mar 7 2017 12:20PM
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VailValleySkier
Posts: 224 - Karma: 514
jackson_sandellSo my class for AIARE is on Tuesday, but we have two like "in-class" sessions before we formally go out for two straight days on Vail Pass for in the field training. I got a shovel, probe, and a backpack all ordered, I just really need a beacon. I've looked and realistically beacons are around maybe $175-300, anybody have an old beacon that is cheaper that they're willing to sell?


You're better off buying a brand new beacon that's ranked somewhere in the top 5 best beacons of whatever year when you're buying it. That way you can get around 3 years of use out of it before new beacons come out with superior technology. Also buy it directly from the manufacturer. You can pro deals on most of them pretty easily too, in order to save some $.

Don't be that cheap ass who buys shit gear and ends up risking the lives of everyone they're with as well as themselves. Nobody who knows you got shit gear will want to go touring with you.
Apr 19 2017 11:56AM
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Thisismyusethegw
Posts: 90 - Karma: 257
Older thread but oh well. It would be as if you are looking for a parachute before you go skydiving. All the parachutes cost $1000 but there is one that only costs $500. You do not buy the $500 one because if it fails you will plummet to your death. Just buy the more expensive on because it will most likely work better and last longer.
Jun 27 2017 2:30PM
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patagonialuke
Posts: 1627 - Karma: 8,686
If you haven't gotten one already:

https://www.newschoolers.com/forum/thread/853433/FS-BCA-Tracker-3--NEW---175-OBO
Jun 28 2017 5:45PM
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